Labeling machine

ABSTRACT

An asynchronous article addressing or labeling apparatus having independently operated component parts each operated in response to a demand signal. The apparatus includes a first transport operable to advance a sheet of uncut labels to a first knife, the first knife serving following a predetermined label sheet advance to cut the sheet transversely to provide a strip-like piece; a first label conveyor to advance the strip-like piece to a second knife which, following an advance equal to one label length, serves to cut an individual label from the strip-like piece; and a second label conveyor to carry the cut label to the label transfer wheel for transfer to an article. The label transfer wheel is operated in response to movement of an article to be labeled into predetermined position to actuate the label transfer wheel and label the article.

United States Patent [1 1 Kluger [451 Jan. 16, 1973 Inventor:

Xerox Conn.

Filed: Dec. 14, 1970 Appl. No.: 97,756

Assignee: Corporation,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/ 1971 Foulks ..83/208 X4/1970 Acquaviva, Jr... .....83/208 X 5/1970 Shallenberg ..83/2l0 X12/1969 Ramsey et al. .....83/203 X 10/1968 Clifford ..83/208 X PrimaryExaminer-James M. Meister AttorneyJames J. Ralabate, Norman E. Schraderand Frederick E. McMullen [57] ABSTRACT An asynchronous articleaddressing or labeling apparatus having independently operated componentparts each operated in response to a demand signal. The apparatusincludes a first transport operable to advance a sheet of uncut labelsto a first knife, the first knife serving following a predeterminedlabel sheet advance to cut the sheet transversely to provide astrip-like piece; a first label conveyor to advance the strip-like pieceto a second knife which, following an advance equal to one label length,serves to cut an individual label from the strip-like piece; and asecond label conveyor to carry the cut label to the label transfer wheelfor transfer to an article. The label transfer wheel is operated inresponse to movement of an article to be labeled into predeterminedposition to actuate the label transfer wheel and label the article.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJAH 16 I975 7 l O 687 sum 1 or 3INVENTOR JACOB N. KLUGER ATTORNEY I PATENTED JAN 1 8 I973 SHEET 2 BF 3LABELING MACHINE This invention relates to an article addressingapparatus, and more particularly, to an asynchronous article addressingmachine.

As is well known, addressing or labeling machines serve to transferaddress information, normally in the form of individual labels, toarticles such as envelopes,

newspapers and the like. This transfer of address information iscommonly effected through either physical attachment of the label itselfto the article or by using the label as a master to imprint the addressinformation therefrom onto the article. To do this'economically, modernautomatic addressing machines are designed to function at the highestspeed possible commensurate with reliability.

However, the modern addressing machine comprises a very complex piece ofequipment, a piece of equipment which may be broadly visualized asserving to mate, with a high degree of precision, articles and labelsfrom two disparate sources. To perform such work, with theaforementioned precision, economy and speed, the usual addressingmachine is carefully designed and engineered with fixed operating ratiosbetween the various machine components. For example, the speed withwhich the articles to be labeled are fed into the machine is carefullymatched with the operating speed of the label transfer wheel, and inturn, the supply mechanism for the labels is designed to exactlycorrelate with the operating speed of the transfer wheel. Failure to somatch the various operating speeds of the conventional machinecomponents would result in disaster. At the same time, however, certainadvantages would accrue if an addressing machine could be designedwherein no permanent operating ratios between the machine componentsexisted, namely an asynchronous machine wherein each component operatesonly on demand.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improvedasynchronous article addressing machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an articleaddressing machine wherein the label supply operates only on demand.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an addressingmachine with an independently operated feeder for a sheet of uncutlabels and a cutoff knife, a demand for labels actuating. the sheetfeeder whilefeeding-of a predetermined length of the label sheettriggers the knife to cut the sheet.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an addressingmachine having an improved label supply system responsive only on ademand for labels to index a label supply web forwardpast a knife andthereafter operate the knife to cut the web and then transport the cutsheet forward toward the addressing machine label transfer device.

This invention relate'sto an apparatus for advancing.

vance of the web; and second means adapted following predeterminedadvance of the web by an amount substantially equaling the width of thelabels to place the stop means in a ready condition whereby the nextsucceeding control signal from said signal generating means-actuatessaid stop means to stop the web advance means while actuating thecutting means to cut off the predetermined web portion.

Other objects 'and advantages will be apparent from the ensuingdescription and drawings in which:

FIG. l is an isometric view showing the asynchronous addressingmachineof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the label supply control circuit forthe addressing machine shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the control circuit for the addressingmachine shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown the asynchronous labeling oraddressing machine, designated generally by the numeral 10 of thepresent invention. Addressing machine 10 includes a wheellike transfermember 12, an article transport 14 for bringing articles to be labeledsuch as envelopes 15 into operative contact with the transfer wheel 12,a sheetlike supply 18 of uncut labels 17, a first knife 20 for cuttingsheet 18 transversely into strips 19, a strip conveyor 50 to carry labelstrips 19 to a second knife 45 where strip 19 is cut into individuallabels l7, and label conveyor 35 for carrying the individual labels 17to transfer wheel 12.

Referring now to FIG. 1, addressing machine 10 includes a suitable frameor base (not shown) having a table-like top. Article transport 14includes a conveyor belt 27 suitably supported on the machine base, theoperating run of belt 27 extending from the discharge side of articlefeeder shuttle 23 past transfer wheel 12.

Feeder shuttle 23 comprises any suitable article feeder adaptedwhenactuated to advance one article at a time from article supply 15forward under gate 24 and onto transport belt 27. Feeder shuttle 23 maybe of the type described in copending application Ser. No. 774,956,filed Nov. 12, 1968 in the name of Donald W. Watson et al where asolenoid operator 25 serves when triggered to drivingly couple shuttle23 with the reciprocating driver 22 to advance an article 15 forwardonto transport 14. A suitable backup or pressure roller (not shown) maybe provided opposite transfer wheel 12 to support conveyor belt 27 andarticles 15 thereon at the transfer point.

Transfer wheel 12 is operatively supported opposite article transportbelt 27 by means'of shaft 30. Shaft 30 is in turn journaled for rotationon the frame means (not shown). Shaft 30 is operated by a suitabledriver 31.

Transport wheel 12 includes a radially projecting arcuate label shoe 32having discrete vacuum holddown ports 33 in the periphery thereof. Ports33 serve to permitvacuum from a suitable source (not shown) totemporarily attach individual labels 17 to the periphery of transferwheel shoe 32 so that wheel 12 may bring the labels from label supplyconveyor 35 into transfer relationship with articles 15 on transportbelt 27. it is understood that suitable vacuum control valve means (notshown) are provided to open and close ports 33 to the vacuum source aswheel 12 rotates to provide the requisite label pickup and dischargefunctions.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, labels 17 may bephysically transferred to articles 15 through the use of a suitableadhesive. Alternately, the label information only, normally comprisingname and address, may be transferred or imprinted from labels 17 toarticles 15. Where labels 17 are physically attached to articles 15, thevacuum control valve for holddown ports 33 is arranged to admit vacuumto ports 33 as ports 33 come opposite the discharge point of labelsupply conveyor 35, the vacuum being terminated adjacent the point wherelabels come into physical contact with articles 15 on conveyor belt 27.Where, however, the label information only is transferred to articles15, the vacuum supply to ports 33 is sustained beyond the point of imagetransfer to enable wheel 12 to remove the used labels from the labelingarea.

Label supply conveyor 35 comprises an endless transport belt 36operatively supported as by rolls 37 between the discharge side of stripknife 45 and transfer wheel 12. Preferably, conveyor 35 is driven bymeans of a suitable two speed driver 43 to enable conveyor 35 to beoperated at the same speed as strip conveyor 50 or alternately, at thesame speed as transfer wheel 12 as will appear more fully herein.

Preferably, both label supply conveyor belt 36 and belt 51 of labelstrip conveyor 50 are suitably perforated at 47 to enable vacuumattachment of the label material thereto. To provide the requisitevacuum, suitable vacuum distributing chambers 48, 49 are providedunderneath the operating runs of conveyor belts 36, 51 respectively.

Belt 51 of label strip conveyor 50 is suitably supported by rolls 53such that the operating run thereof extends along and somewhat below thedischarge of knife to strip knife 45. Conveyor belts 36, 51 areseparated by a distance adequate to permit knife 45 to be operativelydisposed therebetween. Belt 51 of label strip conveyor 50 is operated bya suitable driver 44.

Knife 45 includes a lower fixed shear member 58 with movable knife blade59 operatively disposed thereabove and arranged astride the path ofmovement of label strip 19 from conveyor 50 to conveyor 35. Knife 45 hasa solenoid operator 60 therefor effective when actuated to move knifeblade 59 downwardly to cut in cooperation with shear member 58therebelow the label material therebetween.

In the exemplary arrangement shown, labels 17 are provided in the formof an uncut sheet 18 having one or more rows 62 of labels l7 thereon.Margins 63 of label sheet 18 are suitably perforated at spaced points 64therealong to permit tractor-like sprocket belts 65 to feed sheet 18toward knife 20. One support shaft 66 of sprocket belts 65 is driven bya suitable driver 68. A perforated counter disc 80 is secured to androtatable with shaft 66 as will appear more fully herein.

A pair of disc-type margin cutters 69 are supported by shaft 71downstream of sprocket belts 65, cutters 69 cooperating with suitableanvil members therebelow-- (not shown) to remove margins 63 before sheet18 reaches knife 20. Shaft 71 of cutters 69 may be driven by suitablemeans (not shown).

Knife 20, which serves to cut label sheet 18 transversely betweenadjoining labels into strips 19, comprises an upper knife blade 73suitably supported for vertical up and sown movement in side journals74. A stationary lower shearing member 75 is provided below knife blade73 and cooperates therewith to' cut the sheet material therebetween upondescent of knife blade 73. Blade 73 is reciprocated by means of shaft 76through eccentric journals 77 in a manner known to those skilled in theart. Shaft 76 is operated by means of a suitable driver 79, driver 79being adapted when actuated to turn shaft 76 through one revolution andoperate knife 20 through one cycle.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, driver 68 is controlledby means of flip-flop 81. When operated, driver 68 rotates shaft 66 todrive feed tractors 65 in a direction in the solid line arrow of FIG. 1to advance label sheet 18 toward knife 20. A pair of photocell typedetectors 82, 83 control flip-flop 81 as will appear, label widthdetector 82 being located opposite the discharge of knife 20 while labelstrip detector 83 is located above strip conveyor 50 and downstream ofknife 20.

Label width detector 82 serves to measure the width of label strip cutoff from the label supply sheet 18 by knife 20. Detector 82 isadjustably supported above label sheet 18 at a predetermined distancedownstream of the effective cutting line of knife 20. By adjustablysupporting detector 82, the width of the label strip 19 cut by knife 20may be varied by moving detector 82 toward or away from knife 20. I

Label strip detector 83 responds to the presence of label strip 19therebelow, detector 83 serving to start driver 68 when the trailingedge of label strip 19 passes thereunder as will appear.

Perforations 64 in margins 63 of label sheet 18 are located at fixedintervals therealong and are relied upon as an indicator of the lengthof label sheet 18 fed. Control disc is secured to and rotatable withsupport shaft 66, disc 80 being provided with apertures 85 therethroughat preset spaced points along its face. A suitable photocell typedetector 86 is disposed on one side of control disc 80 oppositeapertures 85 with a suitable light source 88 arranged opposite theretoon the other side of disc 80. As will be understood, turning of shaft 66by driver 68 to advance label sheet 18, results in an intermittentsignal output by detector 86.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the output of strip detector 83 isconnected to the set gates of flip flops 81 90. The signal from flipflop 81, when in the set condition, starts driver 68. To reset flip flop81 and stop driver 68, an AND function gate 91 is provided. The outputof detector 86 is connected to one input of gate 91 while that of labelwidth detector 82 is connected through the reset gate of flip flop 90 tothe other input of gate-91. Simultaneous signal inputs from flip flop 90and detector 86 serve to trigger gate 91 and stop driver 68.

in addition, gate 91 controls driver 79 of knife 20 and timer 94, thelatter serving to temporarily disable AND function gates 120, 123 duringthe cutting cycle of knife 20. At other times, gates 120, 123 whichserve to start conveyor drivers 43, 44, are enabled and responsive tothe demand signal of label demand detector 99.

In the FIG. 2 circuit operation, as the trailing edge of label strip 19passes label strip detector 83, the signal therefrom sets flip flops 81,90. The signal from flip flop 81 starts label sheet driver 68 to operatetractors 65 and advance sheet 18. With advance of label sheet 18, disc80 rotates and apertures 85 therein cooperate with detector 86 togenerate a pulse like signal at control gate 91. Gate 91 is howeverinhibited so long as flip flop 90 is in the set condition.

As the leading edge of sheet 18 reaches label width detector 82, theensuing signal from detector 82 resets flip flop 90 which in turnenables gate 91. It is understood that on movement of strip 19 pastdetector 82, detector 82 becomes inactive enabling flip flop 90 to beset on the latter signal from detector 83. With gate 91 enabled, thenext signal pulse from detector 86 triggers gate 91 to reset flip flop81 and stop driver 68. At the same time, the signal from gate 91 startsdriver 79 and timer 94. Driver 79 operates knife 20 through one cycle tocut off a strip 19 of labels from supply sheet 18 while timer 94temporarily disables gates 120, 123 to prevent operation of conveyors35, 50 during the cutting cycle.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, a photocell typedetector 100 is disposed opposite label supply conveyor 35 just upstreamof the point where cut labels are transferred from belt 36 of conveyor35 to shoe 32 of transfer wheel 12. Detector 100 serves to sense thepresence of a cut label 17 in a ready position on conveyor 35 adjacenttransfer wheel 12. I

The output of detector 100 is connected to a suitable OR function gate121. The output of gate 121 is connected to the reset gate of flip flop122 controlling driver 43 of conveyor 35. As will appear, flip flop 122,when in a set condition, operates driver 43 at a first speed equal tothat of driver 44, the signal from OR function gate 125 in response to acontrol signal from either gate 120 or timer 95 serving to trigger flipflop 122 to the set condition. A signal from gate 121 resets flip flop122 to terminate operation of driver 43 and conveyor 35 at this speed.

To regulate the length of label strip 19 cut by knife 45, a photocelltype detector 106 is spaced above belt 36 of label supply conveyor 35downstream of knife 45. Detector 106, which serves to stop conveyors 35,50 and operate knife 45 as will appear, is spaced from the cutting lineof knife 45 by a distance substantially equaling the length of labels17.

The output of label length detector 106 is connected to a second inputof gate 121, the signal from detector 106 serving to stop driver 43 andthe conveyor 35 following an advance of label strip 19 equal to onelabel length under knife 45. In addition, the signal output of detector106 is fed to the reset gate of flip flop 124 controlling conveyordriver 44, flip flop 124 when reset stopping driver 44 and the conveyor50 driven thereby. it is understood that flip flop 124 is set inresponse to a signal from gate 123 which in turn is triggered by asignal from demand detector 99.

The signal output of detector 106 serves to operate the solenoid driver60 for knife 45 to thereby operate knife 45 through one cycle. At thesame time, the signal from detector 106 starts timer 95 which, followingan interval adequate for knife 45 to cut strip 19, triggers gate 125 torestart driver 43.

The label demand detector 99 is disposed opposite transfer wheel 12 andalong the path of movement of the labels from conveyor 35 into transfercontact with the articles 15 being labeled, detector 99 serving to sensethe presence of a label on transfer wheel shoe 32. Preferably, detector99 is arranged to respond to the trailing edge of label 17 on shoe 32.

The signal output of detector 99 is fed to the reset gate of flip flop129 controlling operation of conveyor driver 43 at a second speedcorresponding to the rotational speed of transfer wheel 12, and to thereset gate of flip flop 126 controlling transfer wheel driver 31. Thesignal from detector 99 serves to reset the flip flops 126, 129 and stopdrivers 31, 43 respectively. Additionally, the signal output of detector99 is fed to gates 120, 123, a signal from detector 99 serving to startdrivers 43, 44 to operate conveyors 35, 50 in unison.

A photocell type detector 108 is disposed above article transport 14upstream of transfer wheel 12, detec tor 108 serving to signal theadvance of an article 15 to be labeled. The output of article detector108 is connected to an OR function gate 127. The output of gate 127 inturn controls the set condition of flip flop 126 controlling transferwheel driver 31.

A photocell type detector 109 is disposed above article transport 14downstream of transfer wheel 12, detector 109 serving to signal thepassage of the labeled article therebelow. The output of labelingresponse detector 109 is connected to a second input of gate 127controlling the set condition of flip flop 126, and to the set gate offlip flop 129 governing second speed operation of conveyor driver 43.Additionally, the signal output of detector 109 serves to momentarilyoperate solenoid 25 of feeder shuttle 23 to advance the next article 15to be labeled forward onto article transport 14.

OPERATION For first start up of labeling machine 10 and loading oftransfer wheel 12 with a cut label in preparation for labeling, articletransport 14 is started, it being understood that transport 14 normallyruns continuously; At the same time, suitable label loading controlmeans (not shown) are provided to simulate initially a label demandsignal from detector 99 and thereafter follow ing advance ofa cut labelto the ready position on label supply conveyor 35 as determined bydetector 100, to simulate in sequence the signal response of detectors108 and 109.

At this point, the signal from strip detector 83 in response to theabsence of label strip material 19 starts driver 68 to operate feedersprockets 65 and advances label supply sheet 18 in the direction shownby the solid line arrow in FIG. 1. The leading edge of sheet 18 passesunder the raised blade 73 of knife 20 and following advance of thepredetermined label width determined by detector 82, the coincidingsignals from detector 82 and counting detector 86 trigger control gate91. The signal from gate 91 resets flip flop 81 to stop driver 68 andterminate advance of label supply sheet 18. At the same time, the signalfrom gate 91 starts driver 79 to cycle knife 20 and cut off the strip oflabels while actuating timer 94. The signal from timer 94 disables gates120, 123 to prevent operation of conveyor drivers 43, 44 during thecutting cycle of knife 20. It is understood however that timer 94 onlyprecludes operation of driver 43 at the first speed corresponding to thespeed of driver 44. Operation of driver 43 only at the second speedunder the control of flip flop 129 is possible during the cutting cycleof knife 20.

Following an interval adequate for knife 20 to cut off strip 20, gates120, 123 are once again enabled and the simulated signal representinglabel demand detector 99 triggers both gates 120, 123. The signal fromgate 123 sets flip flop 124 to start driver 44 and operate strip supplyconveyor 50. The signal from gate 120 works through gate 125 to set flipflop 122 thereby starting driver 43 and operating label supply conveyorat the same speed as strip conveyor 50.

The label strip 19 cut by knife 20 is accordingly carried forward onconveyor 50 under the raised blade 59 of knife 45 and partially ontoconveyor 35. As the leading edge of the label strip 19 comes oppositedetector 106, the signal therefrom resets flip flops 122, 124 toterminate operation of drivers 43, 44 and stop conveyors 35, 50. At thesame time, the signal from detector 106 actuates solenoid 60 to operateknife 45 and cut off the first label from strip 19, while starting timer95. Following an interval sufficient for knife 45 to cut strip 19, thesignal from timer 95 triggers gate 125 to set flip flop 122 and restartdriver 43. Label conveyor 35 is accordingly operated to carry the cutlabel 17 forward toward transfer wheel 12.

As the label on conveyor 35 comes opposite cut label detector 100, thesignal therefrom works through gate 121 to reset flip flop 122 and stopdriver 43 and conveyor 35. The signal of article detector 108 to gate127 may now be simulated. The ensuing signal from gate 127 sets flipflop 126 to start driver 31 and rotate transfer wheel 12. As shoe 33 ofwheel 12 approaches conveyor 35, a simulated signal may be provided toset flip flop 129 thereby starting driver 43 and conveyor 35 at thesecond speed corresponding to the rotational speed of transfer wheel 12.

The cut label on conveyor 35 is accordingly transferred onto shoe 32 ofwheel 12. As the trailing edge of the label on wheel 12 comes oppositedetector 99, the signal therefrom resets flip flops 126, 129 to stoptransfer wheel driver 31 and terminate second speed operation of driver43. At the same time, the signal from detector 99 resets flip flops 122,124 to start drivers 43, 44 respectively and operate conveyors 35, 50 atthe same speed to advance label strip 19 forward. As described, thestrip 19 is advanced under knife 45 by a distance equal to one labellength as determined by detector 106 following which conveyors 35, 50are stopped, knife 45 actuated to cut off the next label, and conveyor35 restarted to carry the cut label forward to a point adjacent transferwheel 12 as determined by detector 100.

The addressing machine is therefore ready for labeling with a cut label17 ready on transfer wheel shoe 32 and a second label standing by onconveyor 35. The remainder of the label strip 19 rests on strip conveyor50.

Article feeder shuttle 23 may now be actuated to advance the firstarticle to be labeled forward onto article transport 14 which in turncarries the article forward toward transfer wheel 12. Advance of thearticle is responded to by article detector 108, the signal therefromsetting flip flop 126 to start driver 31 and rotate transfer wheel 12.As the article passes between the nip formed by conveyor belt 27 andtransfer wheel shoe 33, the label or the address information therefromis transferred to the article.

Completion of the transfer operation is responded to by detector 109.The resulting signal from detector 109 maintains transfer wheel driver31 operative while starting cut label supply conveyor driver 43 at thesecond speed to transfer the next label from conveyor 35 onto transferwheel shoe 32 as described heretofore, the signal from detector 99serving to stop transfer wheel 12 in the ready position followingsuccessful transfer of the label thereto.

At the same time, the signal from labeling response detector 109momentarily actuates feeder shuttle 23 to advance the next article to belabeled forward onto transport 14, movement of the article forward beingresponded to by detector 108 to again operate transfer wheel 12 andlabel the article as described heretofore.

It is understood that with transfer of the cut label from labeltransport 35 to transfer wheel 12, the signal from detector 99 restartsconveyors 35, 50 to advance label strip 19 one label length past knife45 following which knife 45 is actuated to cut off the label. The cutlabel is carried forward by conveyor 35 to the waiting position adjacenttransfer wheel 12 as determined by cut label detector 100. Where labelstrip 19 is used up, the signal from strip detector 83 starts sheet feeddriver 68 to index label supply sheet 18 one label width following whichknife 20 is operated as described to cut off a new label strip 19 asdescribed heretofore.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, drivers 31, 43, 44,68 and 79 may comprise any suitable driving mechanism such as electric,pneumatic, hydraulic, etc. type motors. Alternately, instead ofindividual motors, a single motor with appropriate drive connections andindividual clutches may be employed. It will also be appreciated thatcertain of the independent functions described, for example, thefunctional relationship between transfer wheel 12 and article transport14 may instead be internally asynchronized with one another. In thatevent, the internally synchronized components would be operatedsynchronously with the remaining components of labeling machine 10 asdescribed heretofore.

While the invention has been described with reference to the structuredisclosed it is not confined to the details set forth, but is intendedto cover such modifications or changes as may come within the scope ofthe following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for advancing a web of uncut labels to cutting means,the combination of:

means adapted when actuated to advance said web towards said cuttingmeans;

first means responsive to a predetermined label demand to actuate saidmoving means and advance said web;

stop means responsive to the predetermined signal to stop said webmoving means for operating said cutting means to out said web, said stopmeans being normally disabled,

means for generating a signal with each incremental advance of said web,and

second means positioned downstream of said cutting means for sensing theleading edge of said web for enabling said stop means whereby the nextsucceeding control signal from said signal generating means actuatessaid stop means to stop said web advance means for actuating saidcutting means to cut off the predetermined web portion.

2. In an article labeling apparatus adapted for use with a label supplyin the form of an uncut label web, said apparatus including web cuttingmeans and means for feeding said web to said cutting means, thecombination of:

first means for generating a control signal with each incrementalmovement of said web by said feeding means;

second means for generating a control signal following feed of apredetermined length of said web to said cutting means; and

control means responsive to simultaneous control signals from said firstand second means to stop said feeding means and actuate said cuttingmeans whereby to cut said web.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 including second cutting meansdownstream of said first mentioned cutting mans adapted to cut the cutweb portion discharged from said first cutting means into individuallabels;

conveyor means for feeding said out web portion from said first to saidsecond cutting means; and

label size control means adapted on feed of a predetermined length ofsaid cut web portion substantially equal to one label length to saidsecond cutting means to stop said conveyor means and actuate said secondcutting means to cut off a label from said out web portion.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 including means adapted when saidcut web portion is used up to actuate said web feeding means and feeduncut web to said first cutting means.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said second means forgenerating a control signal following feed of a predetermined length ofsaid web through said cutting means comprises web detecting meansdownstream of said cutting means for sensing the leading edge of saidweb.

6. Apparatus according to claim 2 including means responsive to apredetermined label demand to actuate said web feeding means and advancesaid web subsequent to the cutting of said web.

* l I i

1. In an apparatus for advancing a web of uncut labels to cutting means,the combination of: means adapted when actuated to advance said webtowards said cutting means; first means responsive to a predeterminedlabel demand to actuate said moving means and advance said web; stopmeans responsive to the predetermined signal to stop said web movingmeans for operating said cutting means to cut said web, said stop meansbeing normally disabled, means for generating a signal with eachincrEmental advance of said web, and second means positioned downstreamof said cutting means for sensing the leading edge of said web forenabling said stop means whereby the next succeeding control signal fromsaid signal generating means actuates said stop means to stop said webadvance means for actuating said cutting means to cut off thepredetermined web portion.
 2. In an article labeling apparatus adaptedfor use with a label supply in the form of an uncut label web, saidapparatus including web cutting means and means for feeding said web tosaid cutting means, the combination of: first means for generating acontrol signal with each incremental movement of said web by saidfeeding means; second means for generating a control signal followingfeed of a predetermined length of said web to said cutting means; andcontrol means responsive to simultaneous control signals from said firstand second means to stop said feeding means and actuate said cuttingmeans whereby to cut said web.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2including second cutting means downstream of said first mentionedcutting mans adapted to cut the cut web portion discharged from saidfirst cutting means into individual labels; conveyor means for feedingsaid cut web portion from said first to said second cutting means; andlabel size control means adapted on feed of a predetermined length ofsaid cut web portion substantially equal to one label length to saidsecond cutting means to stop said conveyor means and actuate said secondcutting means to cut off a label from said cut web portion.
 4. Theapparatus according to claim 3 including means adapted when said cut webportion is used up to actuate said web feeding means and feed uncut webto said first cutting means.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 2wherein said second means for generating a control signal following feedof a predetermined length of said web through said cutting meanscomprises web detecting means downstream of said cutting means forsensing the leading edge of said web.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 2including means responsive to a predetermined label demand to actuatesaid web feeding means and advance said web subsequent to the cutting ofsaid web.